Pacific Yew prefers moist forests with rich, well-draining, slightly acidic, medium textured soils. It is an understory tree and is shade tolerant. Annual rainfall needs are between 24-60 inches but it is moderately drought tolerant. The lowest

Pests and Diseases

Brown felt blight, Herpotrichia junipari, is a disease risk. Additionally, when grown near Alaska Cedar, it can be infected and killed by Phytophthora lateris. It also has a habit of rotting from the inside, which creates hollows.

Botanical

Pacific Yew is a long lived conifer in the Yew family. It usually grows between 20-40 feet, occasionally up to 75, and 1-2 feet in diameter. The bark is reddish purple and flakes off in irregular, thin patches. Flowers bloom in early summer, producing male and female cones on separate trees. Eventually, they develop into fleshy, red seed containing cups, or arils.Seeds are greenish, small, mature in one season and require cold stratification. Pacific Yew needles are .5-1 inch long, dark green on top and lighter with two grayish bands running the length on the underside. The needles have compounds that inhibit plants from growing underneath it. The root system is shallow (36 inches), fibrous and spreading.

Pacific Yew wood is valued for its reddish color, hardness, durability, fine grain and workablity. Uses include cabinetry, carving and canoe paddles. It is particularly prized for bow making. Its bark is also the source of the anti-cancer agent taxol.